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Crop Profile for Peanuts in North Carolina
Prepared: April, 1999
Revised: March, 2000; April 2005
General Production Information
Production Facts:
● North Carolina ranked fifth in the nation in peanut production in 2003.
● North Carolina is the leading producer of Virginia-type peanuts.
● North Carolina produced 7.7 percent of the total U. S. production in 2003.
● In 2003, North Carolina peanut harvested amounted to 320 million pounds from 100,000 acres.
● The average peanut yield in 2003 was 3,200 pounds per acre.
● The value of the peanut crop in North Carolina in 2003 was $67,840,000.
Production Regions
Peanuts are grown in more than 22 North Carolina counties. Most production occurs in nine counties in
the northeastern part of the state, although significant production occurs in southeastern North Carolina
(Figure 1). Changes in 2002 Federal farm legislation eliminated the quota system and has lead to a
market-based system with growers contracting the crop with shellers. In addition to traditional
production regions of the state, production has increased in the Central Coastal Plain.
Production Practices
Deep, fine, sandy loam soils with good drainage are preferred for peanut production. Soil pH should be
in the range of 5.8 to 6.2, and the soils should be easily tilled and should offer a moderately deep rooting
zone for easy penetration by air, water, and roots. Approximately 20 percent of the acreage in North
Carolina is produced under conservation tillage. However, yield has been inconsistent in conservation
tillage systems, and production in conservation tillage systems most likely will remain at the current

Crop Profile for Peanuts in North Carolina
Prepared: April, 1999
Revised: March, 2000; April 2005
General Production Information
Production Facts:
● North Carolina ranked fifth in the nation in peanut production in 2003.
● North Carolina is the leading producer of Virginia-type peanuts.
● North Carolina produced 7.7 percent of the total U. S. production in 2003.
● In 2003, North Carolina peanut harvested amounted to 320 million pounds from 100,000 acres.
● The average peanut yield in 2003 was 3,200 pounds per acre.
● The value of the peanut crop in North Carolina in 2003 was $67,840,000.
Production Regions
Peanuts are grown in more than 22 North Carolina counties. Most production occurs in nine counties in
the northeastern part of the state, although significant production occurs in southeastern North Carolina
(Figure 1). Changes in 2002 Federal farm legislation eliminated the quota system and has lead to a
market-based system with growers contracting the crop with shellers. In addition to traditional
production regions of the state, production has increased in the Central Coastal Plain.
Production Practices
Deep, fine, sandy loam soils with good drainage are preferred for peanut production. Soil pH should be
in the range of 5.8 to 6.2, and the soils should be easily tilled and should offer a moderately deep rooting
zone for easy penetration by air, water, and roots. Approximately 20 percent of the acreage in North
Carolina is produced under conservation tillage. However, yield has been inconsistent in conservation
tillage systems, and production in conservation tillage systems most likely will remain at the current